History M.A.

Major in History

(Major Code: 5111)

General Requirements

All students seeking admission to the master’s degree program in history are required to submit a writing sample as part of their application. Applicants who have earned a bachelor’s degree in history from a program that includes a historical methods and/or senior seminar course(s) may, with approval of the graduate adviser, submit the final paper from one of these courses to meet this requirement.
Applicants who have not graduated with a bachelor’s degree in history from a program that includes an historical methods and/or senior seminar course(s) will be required to demonstrate critical reading, interpretive and writing skills by submitting a two-to-three page typed essay over a topic provided by the history graduate adviser. Packets containing the topics, primary source materials and specific essay requirements will be distributed after an initial consultation with the history graduate adviser.
The evaluation of each writing sample will be the responsibility of a rotating committee consisting of the graduate adviser and one other member of the of history department faculty. In the case of a tie, the head of the Department of History will cast the deciding vote. Essays may only be submitted once.
Students who have been denied full admission to the history M.A. program based upon the evaluation of their writing sample may be given probationary admission status and will be allowed to register for classes. Upon completion of nine hours of 6000-level history courses with a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 and no grade lower than a “B,” the student will be granted regular status and may be considered as fully admitted to the program at that time.

30-Hour Thesis Program

18–30 semester hours in history, including HIST 6301 and HIST 6302 and HIST 6303 .
With approval of the department head, the student may elect an additional field of study of at least six but not more than 12 semester hours.
At least 21 of the total 30 semester hours must be taken at the 6000 level.
Students will be required to pass an oral comprehensive examination over the thesis upon its completion.

36-Hour Non-Thesis Program

24–36 semester hours in history, including HIST 6303 .
With approval of the department head, the student may elect an additional field of study of at least six but not more than 12 semester hours.
At least 24 of the total 36 semester hours must be taken at the 6000 level.
Students will be required to pass a written comprehensive examination in their areas of concentration. Students may also be required to pass an oral comprehensive examination at the discretion of the department.

Additional Field of Study in Public History/Museum Studies

Only available in conjunction with an M.A. degree in history.
Nine–12 hours of graduate public history/museum studies courses including six hours of course work and three to six hours of public history/museum studies internship.
The minor field can be tailored to the student’s area of interest.
All internships will require a 25-30 page seminar-level research paper.

Additional Field of Study in Archival Studies

Only available in conjunction with an M.A. degree in history.
Nine–12 hours of archival studies courses including six hours of course work and three to six hours of archival internship.
Students who complete the history M.A. degree with a minor in archival studies will possess the educational qualifications to take the national certification exam for archivists.
All internships will require a 25-30 page seminar-level research paper.